Laundry machine

ABSTRACT

A laundry machine capable of washing or drying laundry is disclosed. The disclosed laundry machine can achieve an enhancement in user convenience and a reduction in the manufacturing costs and weight of the laundry machine.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0048096, filed on May 17, 2007, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0048097, filed on May 17, 2007, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a laundry machine capable of washing or drying laundry.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A washing machine is known as a home appliance for washing laundry, etc, and a drying machine is known as a home appliance for drying wet laundry. Recently, a home appliance having a combined function of a washing machine and a drying machine has been widely used. Hereinafter, a washing machine, a drying machine, and a home appliance having a combined function thereof will be generically referred to as a laundry machine, for convenience of description.

Generally, such laundry machines are classified into a top loading type and a front loading type in accordance with the laundry loading position. Also, laundry machines are classified into a vertical-axis type, in which a drum or a pulsator rotates, and a horizontal-axis type, in which a drum extending horizontally rotates. The representative example of such a horizontal-axis type laundry machine is a drum washing machine or a drum drying machine.

Typically, a conventional laundry machine is directly installed on a floor. In this connection, in the case of a front loading type laundry machine, it is inconvenient for the user to load and unload laundry because the position of the loading/unloading opening of the laundry machine is low. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the level of the opening of the laundry machine.

In this regard, as shown in FIG. 1, a height increasing member 2 may be installed beneath a laundry machine 1, for user convenience.

However, where the laundry machine 1 is placed upon the height increasing member 2, as mentioned above, there is a problem in that the appearance of the laundry machine 1 is spoiled.

Furthermore, the height increasing member 2 must have a sufficient strength to support the overall weight of the laundry machine 1. This may result in an increase in the manufacturing costs and weight of the height increasing member 2.

In addition, where the laundry machine 1 is placed upon the height increasing member 2, the generation of vibration at the laundry machine 1 increases, as compared to the case in which the height increasing member 2 is not used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laundry machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a laundry machine comprises: a washing tub arranged in a cabinet, to receive laundry; a movable body arranged in the cabinet, and installed between the washing tub and a base forming a bottom wall of the cabinet, the movable body being outwardly movable from the cabinet; and a guide for guiding a movement of the movable body.

The guide may comprise a rail provided at one of the movable body and an inner wall surface of the cabinet facing the movable body, and a bracket provided at the other of the movable body and the inner wall surface of the cabinet at a position opposite to the rail. In this case, the bracket is movable with respect to the rail.

The rail may be arranged at one of a side wall of the cabinet and a side wall of the movable body facing the side wall of the cabinet. Alternatively, the rail may be arranged at one of the base forming the bottom wall of the cabinet and a bottom wall of the movable body facing the base.

The rail may be firmly fitted between a lower end of a side wall of the cabinet and the base forming the bottom wall of the cabinet.

The laundry machine may further comprise a strength reinforcing member arranged between the rail and a selected one of the side wall of the cabinet and the side wall of the movable body facing the side wall of the cabinet. In this case, the rail is arranged on the selected side wall.

The rail may be integrated with the base forming the bottom wall of the cabinet. Alternatively, the rail may be integrated with the bottom wall of the movable body.

The guide may be convexly formed at an upper surface of the base, or may be concavely formed at the upper surface of the base.

The guide may be provided with a stopper formed at an end of the guide to limit an outward movement length of the movable body.

The laundry machine may further comprise a roller arranged between the rail and the bracket.

The laundry machine may further comprise a damper for supporting the washing tub, and a damper support for supporting the damper while preventing the damper from interfering with the movement of the movable body. At least a portion of the damper support may be arranged between a side wall of the cabinet and a space, in which the movable body is received.

In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to enhance the appearance of the laundry machine because the movable body, which has a height increasing function to increase the level of an opening of the laundry machine, and thus to enhance user convenience, is arranged in the cabinet. In particular, where the laundry machine is built in kitchen furniture such as a kitchen sink or a kitchen table, it is possible not only to provide a beautiful appearance, but also to achieve user convenience.

In accordance with the present invention, it is unnecessary to prepare a separate height increasing member. The function of the height increasing member can be provided by manufacturing the cabinet such that the cabinet has a slightly-increased height, and arranging the movable body between the washing tub and the base such that the movable body is outwardly movable. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs and weight of the laundry machine.

In accordance with the present invention, the movable body, which functions as the height increasing member, is provided such that the movable body is outwardly movable. Since the movable body can be implemented in the form of a drawer and a small-size home appliance, user convenience can be further enhanced.

In accordance with the present invention, the guide, which guides the movement of the movable body, is integrated with the base of the cabinet. Accordingly, the guide has a simple structure, so that it can be easily manufactured. Thus, it is possible to achieve a reduction in manufacturing costs.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a general laundry machine installed on a height increasing member;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the laundry machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a longitudinal shape of a guide shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts as known configurations incorporated herein, and no detailed description thereof will be given.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a laundry machine 100 according to the present invention is illustrated. The laundry machine 100 includes a structure corresponding to a height increasing member, in order to achieve an enhancement in user convenience. In accordance with the present invention, however, the structure is arranged in a cabinet 110, different from conventional cases. Hereinafter, this will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. For reference, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the laundry machine according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the laundry machine shown in FIG. 2.

The cabinet 110, which is included in the laundry machine 100 according to the present invention, includes a base 113 forming a bottom wall of the cabinet 110, side plates forming side walls of the cabinet 110, a rear cover forming a rear wall of the cabinet 110, and a front cover forming a front wall of the cabinet 110. A door 115, which is also included in the laundry machine 100, is mounted to the front cover. A control panel 170 is arranged on an upper portion of the front wall of the cabinet 110, to enable the user to operate the laundry machine 100.

A tub 120 is arranged in the cabinet 110 in a state of being supported by a spring 101 and a damper 102. The damper 102 is connected to the tub 120 at an upper end of the damper 102, and is connected to one side wall or bottom wall of the cabinet 110 at a lower end of the damper 102. Where the damper 102 is connected to the side wall of the cabinet 110, a bracket is provided at the side wall of the cabinet 110, to reinforce the strength of the side wall.

A washing tub, namely, a drum 130, which will receive laundry therein, is rotatably arranged in the tub 120. The drum 130 is rotated by a motor 140 fixedly mounted to a rear wall of the tub 120. A plurality of lifts 135 are arranged on an inner surface of the drum 130. The lifts 135 raise laundry received in the drum 130, and then let the raised laundry fall, to cause frictional force and impact force to be applied to the laundry.

Water from an external water supply source is supplied to the tub 120 via a water supply hose 103, so that the supplied water is stored in the tub 120. The water stored in the tub 120 is outwardly discharged via a water discharge hose 104. A circulation hose 105 is also connected to the tub 120. A circulation pump 106 is arranged at an intermediate portion of the circulation hose 105. When the circulation pump 106 operates, the water stored in the tub 120 is discharged, and then again sprayed into the tub 120 via the circulation hose 105. As the water from the tub 120 is pumped, and is then again sprayed into the tub 120, a variety of water flows are generated in the drum 130, and an impact force and a frictional force are generated in accordance with the spray of water. Thus, a washing effect and a rinsing effect are enhanced.

The washing tub of the laundry machine 100, namely, the drum 130, is vertically spaced apart from the installation surface of the laundry machine 100, to define a certain space to increase the level of the opening of the laundry machine 100, and thus to enable the user to easily load/unload laundry. Preferably, the space corresponds to a space defined between a washing tub and a machine installation surface, for example, in a conventional laundry machine, in which a height increasing member is installed beneath the conventional laundry machine.

The space between the washing tub, namely, the drum 130, and the installation surface is secured by a movable body 200, as shown in FIG. 3. Since the washing tub, namely, the drum 130, must be arranged at a level increased by the height of the movable body 200, the level of the opening of the drum 130 is increased by the increased level of the drum 130. In this case, accordingly, the user can load laundry into the drum 130 and can unload the laundry from the drum 130 upon using the laundry machine 100, without bending down too far. Thus, user convenience can be enhanced.

The movable body 200 can be received in a space defined between the drum 130 and the base 113, and can be outwardly drawn from the cabinet 110. For these functions, an opening is formed through the front cover of the cabinet 110, in order to allow the movable body 200 to enter/exit the cabinet 110.

A handle 210 may be provided at the movable body 200. Accordingly, the user can outwardly draw the movable body 200 from the cabinet 110 by grasping and pulling the handle 210, and can insert the movable body 200 into the space defined between the washing tub and the base 113 by grasping and pushing the handle 210.

The movable body 200 may be implemented through various structures. A representative implementation example of the movable body 200 is a drawer. Where the movable body 200 comprises a drawer, there is a great convenience in that the user can store supplies for washing operations including a detergent, laundry, etc.

Also, the movable body 200 may comprise a small-size home appliance. Where a washing machine or a drying machine, which has a small capacity, is implemented as the movable body 200, the user may implement an arrangement in which one of the washing machine and drying machine is arranged at an upper position, and the other is arranged at a lower position such that the other machine is implemented as the movable body 200. Of course, a small-size home appliance, which has a structure different from those of the above-described home appliances, and has a relation or no relation with washing operations, may be implemented as the movable body 200.

In order to enable the movable body 200 to slide smoothly, a guide 270, which guides the movement of the movable body 200, is mounted to the cabinet 110. The guide 270 may have, for example, a rail structure, to smoothly guide a reciprocating movement of the movable body 200. FIGS. 4 to 9 illustrate examples for mounting the guide 270 to the cabinet 110. Hereinafter, the guide 270 will be described in more detail with reference to these drawings.

For reference, FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a part of a laundry machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a structure for mounting a movable body to a cabinet. FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a longitudinal shape of a guide shown in FIG. 8.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the guide 270 is mounted on an inner surface of each side wall of the cabinet 110 at a lower portion of the side wall. The guide 270 has an elongated structure, for example, a rail structure. The guide 270 extends in a forward/rearward direction, namely, a longitudinal direction of the cabinet 110. In order to reinforce the strength of the side wall of the cabinet, a reinforcing member 260 may be attached to the side wall of the cabinet 110 at the lower portion of the side wall.

A structure corresponding to the guide 270 is provided at the movable body 200. For example, a bracket 201 is attached to a side surface of the movable body 200 facing the guide 270 at a position corresponding to the guide 270. A roller 203 may be provided at the bracket 201 such that the roller 203 rolls along the guide 270. In accordance with this structure, the movable body 200 can be smoothly reciprocated by the guide 270 and roller 203.

In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide 270 is mounted on the base 113, which forms the bottom wall of the cabinet 110, at either side of the base 113. If necessary, a reinforcing member 260 may be attached to the base 113, in order to reinforce the strength of the base 113.

A structure corresponding to the guide 270 is provided at the bottom wall of the movable body 200. For example, a bracket 201 is attached to the bottom wall of the movable body 200 at a position corresponding to the guide 270. A roller 203 may be provided at the bracket 201 such that the roller 203 rolls along the guide 270. In accordance with this structure, the movable body 200 can be smoothly reciprocated by the guide 270 and roller 203.

In accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide 270 is firmly fitted between a lower end of each side wall of the cabinet 110 and the base 113. In detail, a flange 111 is formed at the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet 110 so that the flange 111 can be coupled with the base 113. One end of the guide 270 is firmly fitted between the lateral end of the base 113, which corresponds to the side wall of the cabinet 110, and the flange 111.

As the guide 270 is firmly fitted between the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet 110 and the lateral end of the base 113, the guide 270 can also be fixed by fastening members to fasten the cabinet 110 and base 113 to each other. In this case, accordingly, it is unnecessary to separately fasten the guide 270 to the cabinet 110.

As shown in FIG. 6, the guide 270 is arranged on the base 113. A structure corresponding to the guide 270, for example, a bracket 201 and a roller 203, is provided at the bottom wall of the movable body 200. In accordance with this structure, the movable body 200 can be smoothly moved by the guide 270 and roller 203.

Although not shown in FIG. 6, the guide 270 may be arranged in parallel to the side wall of the cabinet 110, without being arranged on the base 113. In this case, the guide 270 is firmly fitted between the flange 111 of the cabinet 110 and the base 113 at one end of the guide 270. An intermediate portion of the guide 270 is substantially vertically bent from the end of the guide 270 such that the intermediate portion is in close contact with the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet 110 or is arranged in parallel with the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet 110.

The guide 270, which is mounted to the cabinet 110, as described above, smoothly guides the reciprocation of the movable body 200. If necessary, a reinforcing member 260 is interposed between the cabinet 110 and the guide 270, to reinforce the strength of a region where the guide 270 is mounted, namely, the lower end of the side wall of the cabinet 110 or the base 113. Also, the guide 270 may be firmly fitted between connecting portions of the side wall of the cabinet 110 and base 113, without being fastened to the cabinet 110 by separate fastening members.

In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, a guide 112 is protruded from an upper surface of the base 113. The guide 112 has an elongated rail structure. The guide 112 extends in a forward/rearward direction of the laundry machine 100, to guide a reciprocation of the movable body 200.

A structure corresponding to the guide 112 is provided at the movable body 200. For example, a bracket 201 is attached to the bottom wall of the movable body 200 at a position corresponding to the guide 112. A roller 203 may be provided at the bracket 201 such that the roller 203 rolls along the guide 112. In accordance with this structure, the movable body 200 can be smoothly reciprocated by the guide 112 and roller 203.

In accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, a guide 114 is formed at an upper surface of the base 113, in the form of a groove. The groove is elongated along a forward/rearward direction of the laundry machine 100.

A structure corresponding to the guide 114 is provided at the bottom wall of the movable body 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a bracket 201 is attached to the bottom wall of the movable body 200 at a position corresponding to the guide 114. A roller 203 may be provided at the bracket 201 such that the roller 203 rolls along the guide 114. In accordance with this structure, the movable body 200 can be smoothly reciprocated. Although not shown, a protrusion may be provided, in place of the roller 203, at the bottom wall of the movable body 200 such that the protrusion is engaged in the groove-shaped guide 114.

As shown in FIG. 9, a stopper 116 may be provided at an end of the guide 114, to limit the outward movement length of the movable body 200. The stopper 116 extends upwardly from the bottom of the guide 114 at an end of the guide 114, to limit the rolling of the roller 203, and thus to prevent the movable body 200 from being outwardly drawn beyond a position corresponding to the stopper 116. Meanwhile, although not shown, an upwardly-protruded stopper may be provided at an end of the guide 112 in the case of FIG. 7.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A laundry machine comprising: a washing tub arranged in a cabinet, to receive laundry; a movable body arranged in the cabinet, and installed between the washing tub and a base forming a bottom wall of the cabinet, the movable body being outwardly movable from the cabinet; and a guide for guiding a movement of the movable body.
 2. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide comprises: a rail provided at one of the movable body and an inner wall surface of the cabinet facing the movable body; and a bracket provided at the other of the movable body and the inner wall surface of the cabinet at a position opposite to the rail, the bracket being movable with respect to the rail.
 3. The laundry machine according to claim 2, wherein the rail is arranged at one of a side wall of the cabinet and a side wall of the movable body facing the side wall of the cabinet.
 4. The laundry machine according to claim 2, wherein the rail is arranged at one of the base forming the bottom wall of the cabinet and a bottom wall of the movable body facing the base.
 5. The laundry machine according to claim 2, wherein the rail is firmly fitted between a lower end of a side wall of the cabinet and the base forming the bottom wall of the cabinet.
 6. The laundry machine according to claim 3, further comprising: a strength reinforcing member arranged between the rail and a selected one of the side wall of the cabinet and the side wall of the movable body facing the side wall of the cabinet, the rail being arranged on the selected side wall.
 7. The laundry machine according to claim 2, wherein the rail is integrated with the base forming the bottom wall of the cabinet.
 8. The laundry machine according to claim 2, wherein the rail is integrated with a bottom wall of the movable body.
 9. The laundry machine according to claim 8, wherein the guide is convexly formed at an upper surface of the base.
 10. The laundry machine according to claim 8, wherein the guide is concavely formed at an upper surface of the base.
 11. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide is provided with a stopper formed at an end of the guide to limit an outward movement length of the movable body.
 12. The laundry machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a roller arranged between the rail and the bracket.
 13. The laundry machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a damper for supporting the washing tub; and a damper support for supporting the damper while preventing the damper from interfering with the movement of the movable body.
 14. The laundry machine according to claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the damper support is arranged between a side wall of the cabinet and a space, in which the movable body is received. 